The Doctrine of the Two Swords

An etching after one of the compositions in the window embrasures of the southern (Jurisprudence) wall of the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican. Lettered with artists' names and Bible quote (Luke 22). This is the left-hand fragment of a wider etching also reproducing 'A Pope celebrating the Mass', a composition painted in the window embrasure of the Stanza di Eliodoro. The right-hand fragment of the etching, lettered with production details, can be found at RCIN 852798.

Published in 'Picturae omniumque bonarium Artium Cultori eximio...', a series of 15 plates (including title-page with dedication to Nicolò Simonelli) reproducing monochromes designed by Raphael for the Vatican stanze and the Sistine Chapel tapestries. The plates were etched by Pietro Santi Bartoli and the series was published in Rome by Gian Giacomo de Rossi. For further discussion, see Bibliographic References.

A related study attributed to Raphael for this composition is now in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle (RCIN 903720r).